Ruthless King

“It’s a thing! I have sensitive feet! You can’t shame me for that.”

Lord. She was acting like a lunatic.

“Jilly,” he grumbled.

“It’s just a bit sore.”

“Hmm. There’s a red mark, but it’s not swollen. I don’t think it’s broken. Move it around.”

She wiggled her foot back and forth. “See, it’s fine. If you want me to walk I can.” She tried to stand but he tightened his hold on her foot.

“No. Stay where you are. You haven’t explained why your boss wanted you to stay late.”

“Because she’s an old bat who feeds on the pain of others. I swear, she’s like three hundred years old, but instead of sucking on blood, meanness is keeping her alive.”

He stared at her for a moment before blinking.

Okay. Way to make a fool of yourself, Jilly.

“Do you still write stories?”

She groaned. “No.”

“Why not? It seems like you still have a good imagination.”

Great. That was his way of saying she was acting nuts. She got it.

“Yeah. I guess I do.”

“I’m not saying I don’t believe you about her being an . . . what did you call her? Old bat? Did something happen? Is she being mean to you?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” She was sure none of this would interest him.

In fact, she wasn’t sure why he was still here.

Or why he’d come in the first place. Jilly opened her mouth to ask him, but instead, a moan of pleasure escaped her as he dug his fingers into her arches.

Oh. Dear. Lord.

That felt so good.

“Do you like that?”

“You . . . I . . . wow.”

“You seem tired. I’m guessing you were on your feet a lot today.”

Yeah. She was. Running around the library. And then walking home in the . . . heat . . . oh dear Lord. She yanked her foot back, moving so violently that her chair tilted onto its back legs, her limbs flapping through the air as she tried to right herself.

Regent moved quickly, grabbing her chair and slamming it onto the floor. Then he stood, looming over her.

Uh-oh.

Why did she get the distinct impression that she was in trouble?

“Jillian Anne, you need to calm down and stop putting yourself at risk of getting hurt. That stops right now, do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir.”